Course Description

This qualification is designed for learners who are interested in an introduction to the study of creating IT systems to manage and share information, alongside other fields of study, with a view to progressing to a wide range of higher education courses, not necessarily in IT.

The BTEC National qualification is a two-year programme of study with the ability to gain a certificate qualification at the end of the first year.  The course comprises four elements, one exam based unit, one controlled assessment and two coursework based units.

Unit 1: Information Technology Systems (Exam)

Information technology (IT) systems have a significant role in the world around us and play a part in almost everything we do. Having a sound understanding of how to effectively select and use appropriate IT systems will benefit you personally and professionally. You will explore the relationships between the hardware and software that form an IT system, and the way that systems work individually and together, as well as the relationship between the user and the system. You will examine issues related to the use of IT systems and the impact that they have on organisations and individuals.

Unit 2: Creating Systems to Manage Information (Controlled Assessment)

You will examine the structure of data and its origins, and how an efficient data design follows through to an effective and useful database. You will examine a given scenario and develop an effective design solution to produce a database system. You will then test your solution to ensure that it works correctly. Finally, you will evaluate each stage of the development process and the effectiveness of your database solution.

Unit 3: Using Social Media in Business

You will explore different social media websites, the ways in which they can be used and the potential pitfalls when using them for business purposes. You will develop a plan to use social media strategies for business purposes to achieve specific aims and objectives. You will then implement the plan, developing and posting content and interacting with others. Finally, you will collect data on the business use of social media and review the effectiveness of your efforts.

Unit 5: Data Modelling

In this unit, you will investigate the fundamentals of the decision-making process. You will find out how using data modelling provides the computational ability to compare consequences, and determine a preferred course of action. You will develop the skills and techniques necessary to create complex spreadsheets in order to produce accurate information that informs decision making. You will examine a scenario and then design, develop and test a spreadsheet; you will review your spreadsheet and make refinements based on user feedback, providing an evaluation of the effectiveness of the alternatives produced.

Assessment

Unit 1 – Externally assessed exam, 2hrs worth 90 marks.

Unit 2 – Externally assessed controlled assessment, 10hrs worth 66 marks.

Career Opportunities

 

 ………and really any other career path dealing with people.

Course Details

For more information please see Mrs R Field Room 201     

Email: r.field@josephleckieacademy.co.uk